Once the local economy is stable, it is important that it is distributed in a socially just manner, the National Commission for People with a Disability (KNPD) said during the presentation of the commission’s pre-budget proposals to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

During a meeting with Dr Gonzi and Parliamentary Secretary within the Finance Ministry Tonio Fenech, a delegation from the KNPD suggested setting up a service in close collaboration with the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), to ensure that people with a disability will be able to participate in secondary education – with the necessary support.

Furthermore, they called for the enactment of legislative measures whereby Malta will be in a position to ratify the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability together with its optional protocol.

The KNPD also suggested setting up a fund for specialised IT equipment needed by all students with a disability in all state and non-state schools and introducing a scheme to ensure that they will find employment with the necessary support.

The recommendations also suggested providing Agenzija Sapport with the necessary financial resources to provide its services to all those who need them.

More support is needed for people with a disability and their families to recruit live-in foreign personal assistants to help them live in the community.

The KNPD also pointed out that the tourism sector needs to offer an accessible service to all. This should include the development of a website that provides information such as which beaches are accessible to people using a wheelchair.

The commission also asked to increase the special children’s allowance for children with a disability.